Our focus is aerospace-engineered platforms and stratospheric research. Midwest Stratospheric Data Systems designs, builds, and flies lightweight systems from the Midwest to collect and publicly release high-quality atmospheric data.
Aerospace-engineered stratospheric platform — overview video. Specs and architecture live on Engineering Platforms.
MSDS · X2Griffon · near-space platform
Engineering PlatformsAerospace-engineered platforms and stratospheric research are our focus. Jump to systems, data, operations, and outreach — full technical detail lives on each sub-page.
Who we are, how we operate, and our place in open atmospheric science.
About MSDS →Our purpose: aerospace-engineered platforms, stratospheric research, and open data.
Read mission →Payload systems, drift platforms, and ground station architecture.
View platforms →All public atmospheric datasets, mission products, and documents in one place.
Open data hub →Join recovery teams, field support, and community near-space projects.
Volunteer →Programmatic access to MSDS atmospheric data via the v1 API.
API docs →Mission updates, announcements, and media coverage.
Press desk →Partners supporting open near-space research and Midwest-made systems.
View sponsors →FAA-aligned practices, recovery procedures, and responsible operations.
Safety page →How site data, analytics, and public telemetry are handled.
Privacy policy →Educational resources and activities for young explorers.
Kids zone →Vertical profiles of temperature, moisture, and wind remain sparse compared with satellite and surface networks. High-quality balloon data supports forecasting, atmospheric process studies, education, and open science.
Beneficiaries include researchers, meteorologists, STEM educators, the amateur radio and HAB community, and citizen scientists across the Midwest and beyond.
Browse public dataDuring flights, payloads transmit public APRS and GPS telemetry. Browse released datasets on the Data Hub.
Registered participation in open environmental and ballooning networks.
NASA GLOBE
We contribute ground-based atmospheric observations from Casey, Illinois — temperature, pressure, humidity, and related measurements — into the global GLOBE database.
SBA
Full membership supports shared best practices, safety standards, and community engagement across high-altitude ballooning and near-space education.
Educational activities for young explorers and classrooms.